I am very lucky to live in a country where everybody has access to good healthcare. I feel this at the moment because I have an undiagnosed eye condition which is being treated and investigated by the amazingly dedicated Ophthalmic Team of Clinic 14 at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

Not everybody is as lucky as me. Folk in developing countries are much more prone to losing their sight. What’s tragic is that so very often the cause is cheap and easy to identify and cure.

Now here’s the amazing thing. Sightsavers can restore the sight of a child in a developing country for the price of a pint (two children if you drink in London). The price of a pack of fags will restore the sight of 12 people. The price of a bottle of cheap gin can save over 2000 people going blind because of river blindness. That is amazing isn’t it.

As I have been advised to abstain from alcohol and tobacco for the time being I thought I’d take the opportunity to train for the London Marathon to raise cash, but have subsequently been told not to do that on medical grounds. So instead I am going to completely abstain from alcohol and tobacco for a year and would like people to sponsor me. I've already done a month, but I intend to go until the morning of September 17th 2014. And maybe beyond!